With competition expected to be a little tougher this week, five teams jump back into action as the 2013 GHSA state playoffs continue Friday.

Once again, Stephenson (9-2) will hit the road but this time the Jaguars will travel to meet North Paulding (10-1) in Dallas.

This will be Stephenson’s first-ever meeting against the Wolfpack.

Last Friday, Dallas Rivers ran for a pair of scores as the Jaguars cruised to a 27-7 victory over Flowery Branch. Khalil Ladler returned an interception for a TD for Stephenson, which scored the first 27 points of the game.

Meanwhile, North Paulding coasted to its ninth straight win, a 50-14 rout of Riverwood last week. Corn Collins rushed for 146 yards and score. Chase Noonan, who ran for 94 yards and a touchdown, threw two TD passes to Kaydee Bishop.

The Wolfpack also scored 29 points in the fourth quarter of their fifth straight double-digit win.

For the seventh year in a row, No. 1 ranked Tucker advanced to the second round of the playoffs and will face a team also from Dallas—the East Paulding Raiders (8-3) at Hallford Stadium this Friday.

The Tigers improved to 11-0 with a 35-14 win over Heritage-Conyers last Friday. Yaquis Shelley returned the opening kickoff 99 yards and Joseph Farrar finished with two touchdown passes.

Dominick Sanders rushed for a TD and returned one of his two interceptions for a 65-yard score.

As far as East Paulding, the Raiders edged Creekview 34-33 last Friday. Tae Ray ran for three touchdowns and Mack Coleman added another.

This Friday’s matchup will be the first between Tucker and East Paulding.

In Class AAAA, Marist (9-2) moved on to the second round with its eighth straight convincing win, a 41-13 victory against Stephens County last week. Quarterback Chase Martenson had three rushing touchdowns and two passing TDs all in the first half.

This Friday, the War Eagles will host Gilmer, which they blew out in the first round of last year’s playoffs.

In Class AAA, Cedar Grove and St. Pius are still in contention for a state title. The Golden Lions visit Cartersville and the Saints travel to Ringgold.

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